The Mon Unity Party (MUP) has instructed its candidates to stop campaigning last Sunday (September 20) after coronavirus transmissions accelerated across the country.

"We have to consider the safety of our people therefore we stopped our election campaign," said Min Aung Mon, joint secretary of the MUP campaign committee.

MUP headquarters ordered all party offices and electoral candidates to follow health guidelines set by the government’s Ministry of Health and Sports (MoHS) when erecting political signs and banners.

"Our central committee plans to launch an online election campaign," Min Banyar San, head of the information department for the campaign committee, told NMG. "We will post information on our election candidates and their roles on social media, as well as our party's policy."

Last week, the Pa-O National Organization (PNO) and candidates contesting the election independently also stopped campaigning in person in Mon State. Khun Aung Myo Thein, a PNO electoral candidate, said they will also focus on using social media to promote their party during the election.

MUP is fielding 65 candidates, who are contesting seats in Mon and Karen states, and in Taninthari, Yangon and Bago regions. There are 35 candidates contesting Mon State and 30 contesting the other areas.